138 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AXD  COTTAGE  GARDENER, 
February  12,  1903. 
Spring  Propagation. 
Excellent  plants  suitable  for  a  variety  of  purposes,  in¬ 
cluding  exhibition,  may  be  grown  from  cuttings  inserted  this 
month.  There  is  one  great  advantage  from  inserting  cuttings 
now,  and  that  is,  if  they  are  healthy  and  vigorous,  the  cuttings 
will  never  look  back  after  they  once  commence  to  root.  It  is 
desirable  to  insert  them  fresh,  and  keep  them  fresh,  which  may 
be  done  by  placing  them  in  a.  gently  heated  greenhouse  or 
frame.  They  do  not  recjuire  to  be  kept  closely  confined,  but  so 
that  they  do  not  wilt,  which  retards  their  rooting. 
The  best  cuttings  are  undoubtedly  the  sucker  growths,  3in 
or  4in  long.  Some  varieties  have  good  cuttings  much  shorter, 
and  these  may  be  inserted  with  every  probability  of  their 
doing  well.  The  strongest  growing  varieties  ought  not,  how¬ 
ever,  to  be  propagated  from  cuttings  longer  than  4in.  A  sandy 
mixture  formed  of  loam,  leaf  soil,  and  sand  in  ecjual  proportions 
cannot  be  excelled  for  rooting  the  cuttings  readily. 
Water  after  in.sertion,  and  keep  the  frame  closed,  but  every 
day  it  must  be  opened,  and  the  superfluous  water  dried  off  the 
glass.  If  possible,  do  not  apply  water  to  the  cuttings  until 
rooted.  They  may  be  inserted  singly  in  small  pots,  or  several 
round  the  edges  of  other  and  slightly  larger  pots.  Boxes  hold¬ 
ing  two  or  three  dozen  cuttings  are  employed  in  many  cases, 
and  found  convenient  for  hardy  early-flowering  varieties.  In 
the  genial  atmosphere  of  a  low  span  roof  greenhouse  they  will 
root  with  very  little  flagging  of  the  foliage,  and  are  less  trouble 
than  those  in  pots. 
Treatment  of  Rooted  Cuttings. 
Cuttings  inserted  early  in  December  and  the  new  year  are 
now  freely  rooted,  and  require  a  shift.  Preliminary  to  this  it 
is  e.ssential  that  the  cuttings  or  plants  have  as  hardy  and  airy 
treatment  as  is  consistent  with  their  safety  from  frost,  in  order 
that  they  do.  not  become  drawn.  They  are  very  liable  to  do 
this  if  they  should  be  kept  too  long  in  the  cutting  pots.  There¬ 
fore  it  is  well  to  move  them  as  soon  as  practicable,  picking  out 
the  freest  rooted  varieties  first.  The  compost  most  suited  for 
the  first  potting  may  be  formed  of  two  parts  loam,  one  part  leaf 
soil,  with  some  sharp  sand  added,  as  well  as  a  little  crushed 
charcoal  and  a  dash  of  bonemeal.  Three  inch  pots  is  the  size 
best  adapted  for  the  first  potting.  .  For  the  most  part  single 
pots  may  be  used,  but  several  may  be  occupied  with  two  or 
three  plants  each.  The.se,  may  be  grown  on  for  forming  bushy 
specimens.  The  free-flowering  decorative  varieties  from  among 
the  Japanese  reflexed,  pompon,  and  singles  are  best  for  this. 
The  position  for  the  plants  after  potting  must  either  be  on  a 
very  light  shelf  near  the  glass  in  a  cool  greenhouse,  or  in  a 
frame  slightly  heated  on  a  moist  bed  of  ashes.  The  soil  must 
be  watered  lightly  at  first,  and  throughout  carefully,  until  well 
rooted,  when  water  will  be  more  freely  needed.  Do  not  con¬ 
tinue  the  heat  after  the  plants  are  established,  but  afford  all  the 
ventilation  possible  on  fine  days.  Subjecting  the  plants  to 
droughty  influences  is  inimical  to  their  health  and  Avelfare, 
causing  attacks  of  mildew.  This  will  arrest  growth  and  predis¬ 
pose  to  infestations  of  green  fly  and  other  evils.  With  ordinary 
precautions  and  common  sense  management  there  shoukl  be  but 
little  difficulty  in  maintaining  the  plants  sturdy  and  in  good 
condition  for  the  next  potting. 
Old  Plants. 
Among  the  'stock  of  old  plants  there  will  probably  be  some 
that  can  be  utilised  for  the  second  year,  producing  a  fair 
quantity  of  small  but  useful  blooms,  which  will  be  of  value  for 
cutting,  or  the  plants  for  decoration.  Those  that  are  forward 
enough  in  throwing  up  sturdy  growths  from  the  base  may  be 
turned  out  of  the  pots,  and  the  old  soil  picked  away.  Reduce 
the  length  of  the  roots,  retaining  the  fibrous  parts.  Then  repot 
into  smaller  pots,  using  a  good  compost,  which  wmrk  well  among 
the  roots.  Give  a  gentle  watering  to  moisten  the  soil,  which, 
with  genial  syringings  of  tepid  water,  and  a  mild  temperature, 
will  soon  induce  roots  to  form,  followed  by  the  active  growth  of 
shoots,  which  should  be  thinned  out  to  the  strongest.- — E.  D.  S. 
Incurved  and  Japanese  Varieties  Ten  Years  Ago. 
I  was  much  interested  in  the  recent  audit  of  Japanese  and 
incurved  Chrysanthemums  in  the  Journal,  and  the  idea  occurred 
to  me  that  a  comparison  of  the  present  audit  and  that  of  1892 
would  be  of  more  than  passing  interest  to  your  readers,  and  to 
Chrysanthemum  enthusiasts  in  particular ;  I  therefore  give  the 
analysis  in  the  order  of  merit  as  it  appeared  in  1892.  It  will 
also  show  the  changes  that  hai'^e  been  made  in  this  comparatively 
short  period.  Many  people  to-day  are  inclined  to  imagine  that 
the  Queen  of  Autumn  has  nearly  had  her  day,  and  is  doomed 
to  be  superseded  by  some  other  in  public  favour;  but  whilst 
such  magnificent  varieties  are  being  annually  produced  by  our 
own  and  foreign  experts,  we  who  love  and  cultivate  the  flower 
are  quite  confident  that  if  the  same  eagerness  which  raisers  have 
to-day,  is  continued  ten  years  hence,  its  popularity  will  not  even, 
then  be  on  the  wane. 
Fifty  best  Japanese,  1892,  in  order  of  merit. 
1  Edwin  Molyneux 
2  Avalinche 
3  Etoile  de  Lyon 
4  Vi  viand  Morel 
6  Sunflower 
6  Gloire  <le  Rochir 
7  W.  H.  Lincoln 
8  Stanstead  White 
9  Mens.  Bernard 
10  Val  d’Andorre 
11  Jeanne  Delanx 
12  Mrs.  F.  Jameson 
13  Madame  B  ic.i 
14  Madame  John  Lain" 
15  Sarah  Owen 
16  Florence  Davis 
17  Loui.s  Boehmer 
18  Mr.  A.  H.  Neve 
19  Mr.  Ralph  Brocklebank 
20  C  mdor 
21  Puritan 
22  Madame  C.  Audiguier 
23  Boule  d’Or 
24  W.  W.  Coles 
25  Meg  Menilees 
26  Gloriosum 
27  Carew  Underwood 
23  ,  Mdlle.  Lacroix 
29  Japonais 
30  Baron  de  PraJley 
31  William  Tricker 
33  Be  le  Paul 
33  .Stanstead  Surprise 
34  Mrs.  C.  H.  Whe3'er 
35  Miss  A.  llait-horn 
36  Mr.  H.  Canuell 
37  Mdlle.  Marie  Hoste 
38  Fair  Maid  of  Guernsey 
39  Criterion 
40  Maiden’sBlush 
41  Marguerite  Marrouch 
42  Thunberg 
4  i  Lady  T.  Lawrence 
44  Mr.  E.  Be.'kelt 
45  Yellow  Dragon 
46  La  Triomphante 
47  Coronet 
48  Mrs.  J.  Wright 
49  Alberic  Luiulen 
50  Duchess  of  Albany 
Thirty-six  best  Incurved,  1892,  in  order  of  jierit. 
1  Empress  of  India 
2  Lord  Alcester 
3  Queen  of  England 
4  Golden  Empress 
5  Miss  M.  A.  llaggas 
6  Miss  Violet  Tomlin 
7  Golden  Queen  of  England 
8  Jeanne  d’Arc 
9  Princess  of  Wales 
10  Lord  Woheley 
11  John  Salter 
12  Alfred  Salter 
13  Mrs.  S.  Coleman 
14  .John  Doughty 
15  Nil  Desperanitum 
16  Lady  Hardinge 
17  Mrs.  Heale 
18  Barbara 
19  ^Irs.  W.  Shipman 
20  Jardin  des  Plantes 
21  Piincess  of  Teck 
22  Madame  Darrier 
2-3  IMons.  R.  Bahuant 
24  Hero  of  Stoke  Newington 
25  Cherub 
26  Empre-'s  Eugenie 
27  Refulgens 
28  Mr.  Brunlees 
29  Mr.  Bunn 
39  Camille  B.  Flammaiion 
31  Princess  Beatrice 
S2  Prince  of  IVales 
33  Alfred  Lyne 
34  Lady  Dorothy 
35  White  Venus 
36  Robert  Canr.ell 
F.  B.,  Draycot  Gardens,  Chippenham 
Chrysanthemum  Mdlle.  Marie  Liger, 
In  a  recent  issue  (page  100)  attention  was  called  to  this 
variety,  and  it  was  stated  that  “  some  nurserymen  seem  to  have 
Avrongly  listed  it  among  the  Japanese  varieties.”  It  was  really 
sent  out  by  the  raiser  as  a  Jap.,  and  last  sea.son  I  was  the 
only  trade  grower  who  listed  it  as  an  incurved.  I  also  sub¬ 
mitted  good  blooms  to  the  N.C.S.  Floral  Committee,  hut  they 
were  passed.  It  will  prove  to  be  one  of  the  best  decorative 
varieties  yet  introduced,  its  colour  being  distinctly  pretty,  and 
it  has  also  every  other  point.  It  should  become  popular  among 
market  growers.  As  a  Jap.  it  is  too  small. — W.  J.  Godfrey. 
We  quote  the  following  paragraph  from  Mr.  Godfrey’s  cata¬ 
logue  of  1901-02 ;  “  Mdlle.  Marie  Liger.  This,  in  most  cata¬ 
logues,  is  classed  as  a  Jap.  It  is  an  introduction  from  France, 
and  in  that  country  was  last  season  (1901)  quite  the  sensational 
variety.  It  is  the  colour  which  is  so  striking — a  lovely  peach- 
bloom  mauve,  without  shading  of  any  kind.  It  has  here  proved 
to  be  one  of  the  very  finest  incurveds,  perfect  in  form  and  colour¬ 
ing,  and  easily  produced  on  plants  of  a  medium  height.  Stop  in 
April  or  natural  break.  Second  crown'.” 
Early  Flowering  Japanese  Varieties. 
Under  this  head  may  be  mentioned  Queen  of  the  Earlies,  a 
reflexed  variety,  with  good  broad  petals  and  splendid  habit,  A1 
for  October.  Gaspard  Boucharlet,  a  good  new  sport,  of  a  bright 
scarlet  chestnut  colour,  with  large  blooms  and  splendid  habit,  for 
October.  Ryecroft  Crim.son,  or  October  Crimson,  is  dwarf  in 
habit  and  free,  requires  no  stakes,  October.  Goacher’s  Crimson 
is  undoubtedly  the  best  early  crimson  variety,  having  flowers 
1  of  great  substanoe,  which  freely  produce,  and  it  has  a  good  dwarf 
habit.  Parisiana,  the  purest  white — as  pure  as  Mitchet  AVhite, 
but  a  far  better  doer — can  he  had  in  bloom  by  the  end  of  August. 
Godfrey’s  Pet  has  flowers  of  perfect  form,"  with  recurving  petals 
